5 of Dubai’s Most Exclusive Off-Plan Projects to Watch

Dubai’s off-plan market is enormous, but at the very top end, the conversation is becoming less about how many bedrooms you can buy and more about scarcity, architecture, brand, location and who is actually behind the project.

The strongest ultra-prime launches are increasingly small collections rather than thousand-unit developments. They are pairing names such as Aman, Armani, Dorchester Collection and Baccarat with globally recognised architects and some of Dubai’s best remaining waterfront sites.

For buyers looking for something genuinely difficult to replicate, these are five of the most interesting luxury off-plan projects in Dubai right now.

1. Aman Dubai Hotel & Residences

Location: Dubai Peninsula, Jumeirah 2 Developer: H&H Development Expected completion: 2029

Aman Dubai is probably one of the most anticipated ultra-luxury residential projects currently under development in the city.

Positioned at the end of the Dubai Water Canal on the Dubai Peninsula, the development combines an Aman hotel, Aman Club and a limited collection of branded residences across nine acres of landscaped grounds with a private stretch of beach. H&H currently lists completion for 2029. h-h.ae

The architecture is by Kerry Hill Architects and follows the understated design language Aman is known for: privacy, space and a quieter version of luxury rather than something designed simply to look expensive.

What makes this project especially interesting is the site. Dubai has no shortage of branded residences, but there are very few opportunities to create a low-density Aman resort environment this close to the centre of the city.

For a buyer at this level, that scarcity is probably the investment story.

2. The Alba, Dorchester Collection

Location: Palm Jumeirah Developer: OMNIYAT Expected completion: Q3 2028

The Alba is one of the more ambitious projects currently being built on Palm Jumeirah.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and managed by Dorchester Collection, the development includes 88 residences, including three super penthouses. Homes range from large simplex and duplex residences to six-bedroom super penthouses measuring more than 25,000 sq ft. Omniyat

What makes The Alba different is how heavily OMNIYAT has leaned into wellness and landscaping rather than simply adding another luxury tower to the Palm. The wider destination includes approximately 26,000 sqm of landscaped grounds, private beachfront and a major wellness component. thealbadestination.omniyat.com

Palm Jumeirah is already one of Dubai’s most established ultra-prime markets, so The Alba does not need buyers to speculate on whether the location will eventually work. The question is instead whether the architecture, Dorchester Collection service and low residential count allow it to command a premium within an already expensive market.

For end users looking for a long-term Palm residence rather than a short-term investment, it is one of the projects I would be watching closely.

3. Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah

Location: Palm Jumeirah Developer: Arada Expected completion: End of 2027

Armani Beach Residences is another Palm project, but the proposition is very different.

There are just 53 individually designed residences, with architecture by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando and interiors by Armani/Casa. The collaboration is particularly notable because Arada says it is the first time Giorgio Armani and Tadao Ando have worked together on a residential development. Arada

The project sits directly on the Palm shoreline and includes approximately 90,000 sq ft of resident amenities, including a private beach, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, cinema and residents’ spaces. Arada’s latest construction announcement targets delivery by the end of 2027. Arada

This is the sort of property where the designer names genuinely matter. Tadao Ando has a very distinctive architectural language, and there are only 53 homes.

That gives the project something many branded residences lack: an identity beyond the logo attached to the building.

4. VELA Viento, Dorchester Collection

Location: Marasi Bay Developer: OMNIYAT Expected completion: Q3 2027 Starting price: From AED 17.5M

Marasi Bay has quietly become one of the most interesting ultra-prime pockets around Downtown and Business Bay.

VELA Viento consists of 95 residences across two connected towers, with two- to five-bedroom homes, large terraces and private pools in select residences. The development is managed by Dorchester Collection and currently starts from AED 17.5 million, with completion targeted for Q3 2027. VELA VIENTO TACTICS BY OMNIYAT

What I like about VELA Viento is that the investment case extends beyond the tower itself.

OMNIYAT is developing Marasi Bay as a wider luxury destination alongside VELA, The Lana and future waterfront amenities, rather than relying on one standalone building. VELA Viento residents will sit within that broader ecosystem, with views toward Downtown and direct connection to the waterfront promenade. VELA VIENTO TACTICS BY OMNIYAT

For buyers who want to remain close to Downtown but would rather have waterfront living than a conventional city-centre apartment, this is one of the stronger propositions.

5. Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai

Location: Downtown Dubai Developer: H&H Development for Shamal Holding Expected completion: 2027

Baccarat is bringing its distinctive French luxury identity to Dubai through two sculptural towers designed by Studio Libeskind.

The first tower combines the Baccarat Hotel with 49 private residences, while the second tower is dedicated entirely to residential living and includes just 42 three- and four-bedroom residences. H&H currently lists project completion for 2027. h-h.ae

The second residential tower is particularly interesting because of the low unit count. With only 42 homes, Baccarat is much closer to a private residential collection than a typical Downtown tower.

Its location also matters. Unlike newer emerging districts where the buyer is betting on what the area might eventually become, Baccarat sits in an already-established part of central Dubai with immediate access to Downtown and DIFC. h-h.ae

For buyers who want branded living but prefer an urban address over Palm Jumeirah or a beachfront resort environment, Baccarat is one of the more distinctive options.

What actually makes an off-plan project “exclusive”?

Dubai developers use the word exclusive very freely, but at this end of the market I would look for something more tangible.

True scarcity usually comes from a combination of limited residences, an irreplaceable site, exceptional architecture and a product that would be difficult for another developer to recreate nearby.

That is why a 50-residence beachfront development and a 500-unit branded tower should not necessarily be valued in the same way, even if both carry luxury names.

The brand matters, but the underlying real estate matters more.

Which of these would I watch most closely?

They each appeal to a different buyer.

Aman Dubai is probably the strongest pure scarcity play because of the brand, beachfront site and limited residential offering.

The Alba and Armani Beach Residences are compelling for buyers who believe the very best new supply on Palm Jumeirah will continue to command a premium.

VELA Viento offers a different opportunity through the continued transformation of Marasi Bay.

And Baccarat is perhaps the strongest option for someone who wants an ultra-luxury branded home in the heart of the city rather than on the coast.

None of them should be purchased simply because they are branded. At these price levels, I would look very closely at the specific unit, view protection, layout, entry price, future competing supply and how rare that exact property will feel when the project is complete.

That is ultimately what separates an expensive off-plan property from a genuinely collectible one.

At The Foundry Realty, we work with buyers looking across Dubai’s prime and ultra-prime off-plan market. If you are considering one of these projects — or want to compare them against other upcoming luxury launches — we can help narrow down which opportunities actually make sense for your budget, timeframe and investment strategy.